Eastern Railroad Discussion > NS Selling SD70ACu's

Saw a post this morning by NSDash9 on Facebook about NS selling 46 of their recently rebuilt SD70ACu's and figured I would post it here for those that may not know. They have 110 of these things rostered (7229-7339) with 64 being in storage right now. 

The units going up for sale are: 7231, 7233, 7234, 7238, 7239, 7244, 7248, 7250, 7257, 7261, 7262, 7264, 7267, 7268, 7272, 7273, 7274, 7275, 7279, 7282, 7283, 7286, 7287, 7290, 7292, 7293, 7294, 7296, 7298, 7301, 7305, 7306, 7307, 7308, 7310, 7311, 7313, 7316, 7317, 7318, 7319, 7320, 7321, 7323, and 7328.

From what I've heard, these units were pretty decent units. The crews I've spoken with here in MS seemed to enjoy them, but I'm sure everyone has their own opinions. Just seems odd to sell something you spent quite a pretty penny on recently. They have brand new cabs, PTC, and all of the other bells and whistles. Like most railfans, I always enjoyed seeing these units. Pretty mean looking engines. 

Why don't they just sell the whole damn railroad? The Pandemic and PSR has just about ruined them anyway!!!!!!!!!!

Txtrainman60 Wrote:
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> Why don't they just sell the whole damn railroad?
> The Pandemic and PSR has just about ruined them
> anyway!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe you could explain this in a little more detail, or is it just a mindless rant?

Gordon

Putting the operating characteristics of the locos aside, is there is a big monetary gain in selling these units?  Some hidden financial trick that only a sharp CPA would discern?

Would these units be attractive to a leasing company? Or to a regional like Wheeling & Lake Erie, etc?

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Really curious as to why. Still almost 800 dash-9's running around and I'd find it hard to believe that they are more cost-effective to operate than the ACU's. And it also begs to ask what will happen with the SD70ACC's? If this has already been discussed, my apoligies.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/20 17:50 by reel_smooth.

Could be they are selling them to someone else, not putting them up for auction.    Or selling to a lessor (and maybe leasing back??)  At auction , they'd prob get .10 on the dollar.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/20 17:57 by pdt.

Fleet simplification is probably also a factor in their thinking.  Get rid of the whole class and you no longer have to maintain an inventory of spare parts, etc.  Even if, in this case, the SD70ACu's individually are more efficient you may still save money by not having to support them.   Airlines are doing a lot of this.

Gordon

pdt Wrote:
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> Could be they are selling them to someone else,
> not putting them up for auction.    Or selling
> to a lessor (and maybe leasing back??)  At
> auction , they'd prob get .10 on the dollar.
>  

No.  This is a normal NS auction of surplus equipment.  Have been doing them somewhat regularly lately.  These bids are due 11/10.  Units are sold As Is, alll sales final, free freight on NS lines only.  Buyer responsible for all freight off NS. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/20 20:11 by scraphauler.

This seams like a stupid time to auction off decent recently rebuilt locomotives. Both in the possibility of needing them later and that anyone else may not have the extra money to spend quite yet to buy them. May be some good bargains to had there, especially if anyone still needs more stuff with PTC installed. I see posts like this and seriously consider selling off my NS stock...

Jim

As originally built by EMD, the SD90MAC had a fuel tank capacity of 5,700 gallons. While owned by Union Pacific, the units started developing cracks in the frames around the fuel tank mounts. UP worked with EMD to solve the frame cracking problem by adding additional mounting brackets between the frame and fuel tank. In addition, the fuel filler pipes were modified to only allow a maximum of 4,700 gallons of fuel to be added.As originally built by EMD, the SD90MAC had a maximum weight of 415,000 pounds. After being rebuilt in the SD70ACU program, the maximum weight initially increased to 420,000 pounds due to the additional weight of the new widenose and cab. Starting with the 35th SD70ACU rebuild, NS began adding additional weight to each end of the units to increase the maximum weight to 432,000 pounds. The first 34 units will also have the additional weight added as shop time permits. Those units that have received the additional weight are 7231, 7232, 7233, 7234, 7236, 7241, 7242, 7243, 7244, 7246, 7247, 7249, 7253, 7254, 7259, 7271, 7272, 7274, 7277, 7278, 7285, 7296, 7302, 7303, 7304, 7306, 7308, 7311, 7312, 7314, 7316, 7317, 7318, 7322, 7326, and 7328.The original cab and electrical cabinet were replaced with new EMD SD70ACe style isolated cab AAR-style control stand, and electrical cabinet with Mitsubishi electronics. They retain their original TA22 main alternator and 1TB2830 traction motors. They are also equipped with a CCB II computer controlled braking system, the GE Ultra Cab II Cab Signaling, LSL (Locomotive Speed Limiter), as well as Automatic Engine Stop/Start. All units are equipped with NS LEADER/PTC (Positive train control) system and are equipped for use in distributed power unit (DPU) operation. A new electric parking brake has been added with brake wheel on the left side of the long hood. Ditch lights have also been added to the rear during rebuilding.

Maybe someone knows the frame cracks are gonna re-appear??   ANyone know what NS paid UP for these things?   Maybe a tax credit for retiring tier 0 engines? Maybe a bit advantage to taking a loss in these now?    These days, money juggling has a much better yield than "fleet standardization"  Im guessing at auction they will go for between 150 and 200K each.   Thats what, 6M total.  Not a lot of money for NS.  Maybe they will go for more....???



 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/20 20:56 by pdt.

They have problems. Most all the big units they've been selling have issues. Random sample of units -

7231 - crankcase overpressure, would not run. Water coming from #5 pa. #5 pa replaced,  still get crankcase overpressure and will not run - placed into storage

7233 - crankcase overpressure tripped. Piston found on engine compartment floor. Oil on walkways.  Placed into storage

7286 - fire in electrical cabinet in back wall of cab. Electric fire in nose. Fire require fire department. Placed into storage

7316 - alternator fire required fire department.  Towed to Chattanooga and stored. 

7323 - long list of electrical and wiring issues.  Ground relay lockout, unit will not load. Placed into b/o storage Jan 2019 account poor performance 

7293 - drops load. Computer issues. Placed into long term cold storage Nov 2019 account poor performance. 

7264 - alternator. Wiring problems. Repeated cab signal problem.  Placed into storage Nov 2019 account poor performance. 

7238 - low coolant pressure. External water leaks. 1-8 rob bearing deeply pitted, copper debris in mich filters. Needs complete overhaul. 

Thats 8 random units of of the 46. The only 8 I pulled reports on. Something tells me the other 38 are not cherries either.








 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/20 20:41 by scraphauler.

Seems the NS rebuild programs are not as spectacular as often reported.

Baltimore

baltimore Wrote:
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> Seems the NS rebuild programs are not as
> spectacular as often reported.

The NS SD70ACU rebuild program was not a rebuild from the frame up like some of the others.  The main purpose was to replace the original electrical system, which was unreliable, and included cab replacement.  Other mechanical components were only overhauled/replaced as needed. 


Chris Toth
NSDash9.com

...just in time for the Athearn models to be announced, right? :)

Thx for the info.  So these are all laid up dead in need of major work.   Seems NS expected more than 3-4 years of service out of these.  I read smewhere that they are thinking of putting  operable ones into helper service out of Altoona.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/24/20 03:40 by pdt.

pdt Wrote:
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> Thx for the info.  So these are all laid up dead
> in need of major work.   Seems NS expected more
> than 3-4 years of service out of these.  I read
> smewhere that they are thinking of putting 
> operable ones into helper service out of Altoona.

They have a few helper sets of these already. The older SD40E's that were helps are roaming around the system now, mostly in Local service. 

NSDash9 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> baltimore Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Seems the NS rebuild programs are not as
> > spectacular as often reported.
>
> The NS SD70ACU rebuild program was not a rebuild
> from the frame up like some of the others.  The
> main purpose was to replace the original
> electrical system, which was unreliable, and
> included cab replacement.  Other mechanical
> components were only overhauled/replaced as
> needed. 
>
>
> Chris Toth
> NSDash9.com

Which ultimately doomed them!

tuxedorailfan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> pdt Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Thx for the info.  So these are all laid up
> dead
> > in need of major work.   Seems NS expected
> more
> > than 3-4 years of service out of these.  I
> read
> > smewhere that they are thinking of putting 
> > operable ones into helper service out of
> Altoona.
>
> They have a few helper sets of these already. The
> older SD40E's that were helps are roaming around
> the system now, mostly in Local service. 

Yup, this is already done... The SD40Es are gone, and on a trip down to Altoona I took two weeks ago, I observed 13 SD70ACUs in the helper pool... They included 7230, 7232, 7235, 7236, 7237, 7240, 7241, 7245, 7246, 7247, 7249, 7253, and 7254... There may be more in the pool but in four days I only saw those 13...

good thread. Thanks for all the info.

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